Grand Jury Makes Sense For Monroe

August 19, 1991|The Morning Call

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has been asked to decide the propriety of the refusal by Monroe County President Judge James J. Marsh to grant a request for an investigative grand jury. Its decision could affect the investigation and prosecution of crime in Monroe County.

Monroe County District Attorney E. David Christine, who made the request for the jury, took his plea to the high court after Judge Marsh turned him down. That must trouble the people of Monroe County, because what Mr. Christine sought was the authority to take a closer look at possible white-collar crime, certain homicide cases, crimes related to goverment employees, "corrupt organizations" and the drug trade.

That certainly qualifies as a bona fide list of concerns. And fast-growing Monroe County has particular reason to try to stay abreast of criminals who are becoming ever more sophisticated. A grand jury, with its special powers, gives investigators an important tool.

Judge Marsh, however, frets that Mr. Christine's request was not specific enough. And yet, a petition that identifies individuals and organizations as possible targets for investigation is a sure way to put distance between named persons and Monroe County. Surely Judge Marsh can devise a way for Mr. Christine to satisfy him of the specific areas the jury would focus on.

Pennsylvania's rules of judicial procedure give to attorneys general the authority to identify the need for and then request the convening of grand juries. Judges then are to supervise their implementation and work. In his appeal, Mr. Christine alleges that Judge Marsh has not lived up to his responsibility.

The judge and the district attorney have had their differences. It would be a shame if petty friction denies Monroe County the potential good that a grand jury can do. Local police and the district attorney's staff can do only so much. Mr. Christine's request for a grand jury is a reasonable one.